INTRODUCING M A T E R N I T Y

I’ve photographed women and their bodies for a while, but I hadn’t ventured into the world of maternity. 

When I thought of “maternity sessions”, visions of heart-shaped hands over the belly plagued my mind every time I heard the two words – “maternity and photography” in the same sentence. Let me say this at the outset, there is absolutely nothing wrong with heart shapes, or any shapes created on the beautifully shaped tummy of an expectant mother, but it’s just not how I wanted to photograph this time for a woman. But I thought this was how maternity photos had to be done, so I steered clear of it. (Again, ain’t nothing wrong if you want that kind of session!)

I also was terrified of photographing pregnant women because I had this fear that I would somehow hurt them in a pose. 

Then I got an email asking if I did maternity photos. When I got on the phone to chat about her session, she point-blank asked “am I your first maternity client?” 

With a big scary sigh, I said, “Yes, yes you are.” 

I felt really weird saying it. Almost like I was an imposter. I don’t know how else to photograph a woman, at any stage in her life, other than how I do it. So I confidently walked her through my portfolio and this is what I do! And it’ll be the same for our session, just with your tummy showing 🙂 

I then bit my nails until that email confirming the session came through. 

And Girl, I cannot thank you enough for trusting my vision. You took a solid chance on me when you didn’t have to, and you opened my eyes and my heart to this wonderful time in a woman’s life. Photographing you and that little person has been one of the highlights of this year in my studio, and my gratitude runs deep for you, so thank you. 

Aniya, xo